Atlantis Beach Day excursion - food options?

[Coconut8473]

Hi all... we're traveling on our first cruise this July, and have signed up for the Atlantis Beach Day excursion in Nassau. I've read lots of general (and not-so-positive!) reviews that vaguely mention the food kiosks that we'll be getting vouchers for, but was wondering if anyone had a comprehensive list of the food options available on this excursion. Any chance conch fritters are included?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DakotaDisneyLover]

We did the Atlantis Beach Day in October of 2010. Listed on the voucher was 4 or 5 places that we could choose from to eat at. They were all outside counter type places, and unfortunately at least two of them were closed, which we discovered after looking all over for them (it is a very large place). The choices we had were all pretty much the same thing: Chicken sandwich, hamburger, hot dog, that type of thing, with fries and soda. I had the burger, which was nothing to write home about. We did not get to choose anything on the menu, when we gave the voucher to the counter person they let us know what we could choose from. To be very honest, we were expecting more from the Atlantis Resort, as expensive and high end as they are. We were not given a map when we arrived, so wandered around trying to find our way around - the place is huge. The beach we went to was not raked; mounds of sand were washed up in piles making it hard to place your beach lounger, and there was rotting smelly kelp all over the beach-yuck. And, there were HOARDS of vendors pestering us! We didn't find anyone helpful posted around the resort to answer our questions; we asked the security guards posted at the beach a couple of easy questions, and they very grudgingly answered them. We did hear that business was down due to the slow economy, and that is why they had a couple of the eateries closed down - maybe that is why there was a lack of helpful staff around to assist people. I know I am giving you more info than you asked for, but honestly, we thought the beach day was over priced for what you got. We are not hard to please, but the whole beach experience I explained above was a real bummer to us. Not the wonderful, relaxing experience we thought it would be.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We did the Atlantis Beach Day in October of 2010. Listed on the voucher was 4 or 5 places that we could choose from to eat at. They were all outside counter type places, and unfortunately at least two of them were closed, which we discovered after looking all over for them (it is a very large place). The choices we had were all pretty much the same thing: Chicken sandwich, hamburger, hot dog, that type of thing, with fries and soda. I had the burger, which was nothing to write home about. We did not get to choose anything on the menu, when we gave the voucher to the counter person they let us know what we could choose from. To be very honest, we were expecting more from the Atlantis Resort, as expensive and high end as they are. We were not given a map when we arrived, so wandered around trying to find our way around - the place is huge. The beach we went to was not raked; mounds of sand were washed up in piles making it hard to place your beach lounger, and there was rotting smelly kelp all over the beach-yuck. And, there were HOARDS of vendors pestering us! We didn't find anyone helpful posted around the resort to answer our questions; we asked the security guards posted at the beach a couple of easy questions, and they very grudgingly answered them. We did hear that business was down due to the slow economy, and that is why they had a couple of the eateries closed down - maybe that is why there was a lack of helpful staff around to assist people. I know I am giving you more info than you asked for, but honestly, we thought the beach day was over priced for what you got. We are not hard to please, but the whole beach experience I explained above was a real bummer to us. Not the wonderful, relaxing experience we thought it would be.

I completely agree with this, and I was at Atlantis just a few weeks ago. I was quite surprised that we didnt enjoy our day there since I've been there 3 times before, in 2002 for a vacation and in 04 and 09 for the day on the cruise, and always enjoyed it. This time it seemed a lot had been "let go", maybe due to the economy, but as this poster said, things weren't raked, many of the food kiosks closed, generally dismal feel. We enjoyed the slides and luckily I had printed a large color map before leaving home but it still felt like we walked forever and in circles to find an open place for lunch. It was just ok, I do believe conch fritters were on the menu where we went but I can't remember if they were allowed to be used with the voucher. It was annoying to pass so many closed food venues. Our favorite bar, the beach bar, was completely gone! It was just an empty pavilion now, very sad. All in all, it was NOT worth our $550 day there for 3 adults. Not saying I won't ever go back, but not anytime soon. Had a much better day staying on the ship in Nassau on my february cruise.

 

[Coconut8473]

Thanks to you both for your candid and honest reviews. Going to reevaluate things now...

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Atlantis does close many of its dining venues on a seemingly random schedule....but if you know what to look for, you can know ahead of time. When you get to Atlantis, you have to get a copy of an Atlantean, and that will have the places that are open.

I said this on another thread, but the dirty beach complaint is a new one. I visit Atlantis annually, and I've never seen any significant accumulation of seaweed.

The vendors are just a part of life in the Bahamas. Its another county and another culture. Bahamian law is that beaches are public to the high-water mark, so many locals make a living on those beaches. I've found them to be very pleasant and responsive to a simple smile and no-thank-you. As Americans we're not that accustomed to hawkers selling their goods this way anywhere outside of a sports stadium or the occasional aggressive free-sample at a mall food court/kisok....but many people world-wide make a living this way.

Food at the fast-food dining venues is pretty standard theme-park fast-food type fare. Conch fritters might be available somewhere, but I wouldn't count on it. They do have things like veggie or fruit bags, but those probably aren't included on the cruiser vouchers.

 

[DakotaDisneyLover]

I completely agree with this, and I was at Atlantis just a few weeks ago. I was quite surprised that we didnt enjoy our day there since I've been there 3 times before, in 2002 for a vacation and in 04 and 09 for the day on the cruise, and always enjoyed it. This time it seemed a lot had been "let go", maybe due to the economy, but as this poster said, things weren't raked, many of the food kiosks closed, generally dismal feel. We enjoyed the slides and luckily I had printed a large color map before leaving home but it still felt like we walked forever and in circles to find an open place for lunch. It was just ok, I do believe conch fritters were on the menu where we went but I can't remember if they were allowed to be used with the voucher. It was annoying to pass so many closed food venues. Our favorite bar, the beach bar, was completely gone! It was just an empty pavilion now, very sad. All in all, it was NOT worth our $550 day there for 3 adults. Not saying I won't ever go back, but not anytime soon. Had a much better day staying on the ship in Nassau on my february cruise.

I agree with the dismal feel and that things were just not kept up. It was a big letdown. Some of our family members did the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Swim and Beach Day and raved about it. There is an option to just do the beach day, and I believe it is cheaper than Atlantis, maybe check into that instead.

 

[Coconut8473]

Thanks to everyone here (and some additional reviews I found throughout the boards), I actually did decide to switch to the Blue Lagoon Beach Day. It sounds like exactly what we're looking for. Either way, I guess the food's nothing to write home about, but sounds like we'll get more of a relaxing beach experience at BL (as "relaxing" as any trip with a 2.5-year-old can be, that is!)